Sale: Triton V, Lot: 2245. Estimate $750.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 16 January 2002.  Sold For $675. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ANASTASIUS I. 491-518 AD. AV Solidus (4.47 gm). Struck 498 AD. Constantinople mint. D N ANASTA-SIVS P P AVG, helmeted and cuirassed bust THREE-QUARTERS FACING TO RIGHT, holding spear over shoulder and shield decorated with horseman spearing a fallen enemy / VICTORI-A AVGGG, Victory standing left, holding staff with reversed Chi-rho; star in left field; Ð/CONOB. DOC I 6 var. (different officina); MIB 6; BN 8 var. (same); SB 4. Near EF. Very rare type, and an unlisted officina. ($750)

As part of his financial reforms Anastasius undertook a major restructuring of the currency system which had long since ceased to serve the everyday needs of the general population. Although the bronze coinage changed considerably, the gold and silver denominations remained unchanged from the preceding reigns, though the reverse designs underwent various minor modifications. This gold solidus is of a very rare transitional type showing the figure of Victory on the reverse holding a staff surmounted by a reverse Chi-Rho monogram.